My beauty secrets: Stacy Gregg

Auckland’s Stacy Gregg (46) is the author of bestselling children’s novels. Her latest, The Princess And The Foal (HarperCollins), is out now.

My beauty philosophy is…

Only spend money on things that actually work.

The skincare products I can’t live without are…

Faceworks Herbal Facewash, Osmosis PolishEnzyme/Firming Mask (this is an exfoliant that works on the skin without scrubbing), and Sans Activator 7Body + Hair + Face Oil –which I use on my horse’s face as well as my own! My top product is FaceworksEnvironmentalProtector SPF 30+. When you ride horses, the sun is your skin’s worst enemy and this block really works.

My haircare secret is…

Lucy Marr at lucy & thepowder room in Takapuna. Because I have “big” hair and spend loads of time outdoors, it’s very hard to keep it in good nick. I try to visit her religiously every five weeks.

The must-have products in my make-up bag are…

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream. Now that I’m older, I find heavy foundations look too matte and create more lines. I wear MAC lipsticks, Clinique bronzers and remain strangely devoted to Maybelline NY GreatLash, which I’ve worn since I was 12. I have long lashes – they don’t need fussy products.

My favourite beauty treat is…

I’m not actually about treats; I’m all about results. I get Botox every four months. I have deep crow’s feet and a set of railway tracks running vertically between my brows. Without Botox, I frown so badly I get headaches. Also, one of my eyebrows is lopsided from having a lazy eye as a child and the treatment rectifies this.

My biggest beauty sin is…

I end up every summer with tanned arms and white legs from wearing a singlet top and jodhpurs.

The best thing my mother taught me about beauty was…

Actually, I’m the one doing the teaching. I regularly take my 13-year-old daughter for lash tinting and brow shaping. I think a brow shape is such a powerful influencer.

Nicky Pellegrino has been a journalist for over 20 years, both here and in the UK, and is a former editor of New Zealand Woman's Weekly. These days, as well as working on the magazine's beauty pages, she writes popular novels like Recipe For LIfe, The Italian Wedding and The Villa Girls. For more about Nicky check out her website www.nickypellegrino.com